Chapter 22: Get ready to roll in the mud
“Wouldn’t you visit your kids today? They miss you so much and are even eager to meet Isabelle” Ann disclosed with a frown and Roberto cupped her cheek.
“The primary election is in a few days, let’s lay low for now. I promise to spend a week with them when this is over” He swore and Ann sighed.
“Can you change your vice, I have a bad feeling about Mario, can’t you use someone else or me?”
“What bad feeling? Mario has been by my side since forever even when I lost my wife, he was still there for me. I owe him a lot” Roberto defended and Ann shook her head.
“Don’t get too carried away, some people are green snakes under green grasses” She warned and Roberto nodded.
“Sir, Ann just warned the president about you” Lisa, Mario’s secretary disclosed and Mario frowned.
“I want the full details, call Liam and tell him to eliminate her today, I don’t want any mistakes, he should shoot her immediately he gets the opportunity” Mario ordered and Lisa made the call.
“She didn’t disclose anything, only warned him to be careful of you and use another person as his vice” Lisa blurted and Mario sighed.
“Sir, I found out she has two kids for the president. Should we expose them to the public?” Lisa requested and Mario thought about it for a while.
“Do we have concrete evidence? Is there anything that’ll make the public believe us easily?”
“We could get Liam to follow her home and take pictures before doing the job”
“Okay, I’m trusting you to handle this, I have a meeting now” Mario said and began gathering his files.
Ann who had been eavesdropping not quite long silently retreated. She went to her office and began making plans of how to make Mario’s plan backfire.
She made a few calls to her picture editor and after giving him several instructions, she packed her stuffs and left the office.
Entering her car, she looked around as she sped off. She wasn’t shocked when she saw a black car following her from a far distance.
She stepped on the accelerator and sped off then slowed down when the car came close, the car turned to a corner when he came too close.
She wheeled her car to a wooden house with white picket fence, the house looked simple.
Two teenage kids ran out of the house, screaming mummy. They hugged her tightly and she kissed their forehead each.
She turned to the road, hugging both kids as she looked around.
A car pulled in front of her and within two seconds, a bullet drove into her forehead and the car drove off.
The kids screamed as Ann fell down, blood oozing from her head.
A man ran from inside and together, they rushed her to the hospital. She was put in intensive care as doctors raced to save her life.
After 4 hours of running around and trying to save her life, the doctors emerged from the emergency room that she had been taken to.
Roberto and a few officials were in the hospital, waiting for the result.
Roberto saw the doctor in his office and explained to him that they had saved her and she would be awake in a few hours.
Roberto was escorted out with guards as reporters pushed and tried to ask him questions.
He was in his office when the doctor called ande Ann was awake.
“Doctor, can I have a few words with you privately?” Ann demanded, holding her bandaged head, the doctor gave the nurses signs to leave and Ann sat up slowly.
“Can you tell the president that I lost my voice and memory?” She pleaded and he stared at her with shock.
“That’s a very risky thing to do, I might end up losing my job and even more..”
“Please, I promise to compensate you handsomely and you wouldn’t lose your job” She pleaded and with a deep breath, the doctor agreed.
Roberto walked inside her ward and hugged her, smiling. Her eyes hardened when she saw Mario who was grinning.
“There’s bad news” The doctor dropped and Roberto frowned while Mario paid more attention.
“She lost part of her memory, maybe the things that happened a few weeks ago are what she can’t remember”
“She can’t talk for now, her vocal cord has been damaged and it’ll take some time before she would be able to talk again” The doctor lied smoothly and Mario sighed with relief while Roberto shook his head with disbelief.
The doctors words were confusing but it was good enough since she wouldn’t remember most of what they’ve discussed.
The doctor gave Ann a book and pen which she used to write what she wished to say, tears brimmed at her eyes and Roberto wiped them with his eyes.
“I want a meeting with the press tomorrow” She wrote and handed it to Roberto who was confused and worried.
“It’ll be fine, let her have a meeting with the press. She might as well try to clear the news that’s running wild” Mario supported.
“What news?” Roberto requested with worry.
“News that she has two kids for you” Mario explained, a hint of accusation in his voice.
“That’s absurd, who spreads such news online?” Roberto questioned with anger.
“We’ll never know but all that matters is that she has a meeting wi the press tomorrow” Mario replied.
Ann was taken to Roberto’s house. Isabelle was shocked when she saw her being wheeled into the house. Roberto gave her a warning gaze and she went to her room.
“Ann, what is it that you wanna say to the public? Why not say it some other time, you need lots of rest” Roberto suggested, concern written all over his face.
“I need to say this, if I don’t. I might end up dead sooner than later”
“I don’t understand, who’s trying to kill you? Why is someone after you? How did the public know about our kids, there’s a picture of you holding two kids and I’m still trying to figure out how someone could follow you” Roberto lashed out with confusion.
“Chill, everything will be okay after the meeting. I guarantee that” She comforted, holding his hand.
She was taken to a different room and in the night, a maid sneaked inside, holding a knife. The maid tiptoed to Ann’s bed, holding a small kitchen knife. She stabbed the bed and the lights turned on, Ann staring at her viciously.
“I know who sent you, if you don’t wanna end up dead and exposing him, do all I ask of you” Ann threatened and the maid was surprised that she could talk, the shaking maid nodded, sweat filled her body and she stared at Ann with fear.
“I want you to work directly for me, let me know about Mario’s plan, influence his plan and tell him whatever I bid you, I’ll pay you 7 million dollars for your job and also get you a better job” Ann offered and the maid accepted, having no other option.
The day broke and Ann rose from her bed happily, she dressed up and walked downstairs to get her breakfast, she used her notes to talk to Roberto who was listening to her attentively, ignoring Isabelle who sulked and grumbled.
They headed to the presidential palace, heavily guarded and when everyone was seated, a big television was brought to show Ann’s note.
A reporter took the mic, ready to throw questions at Ann when she stood up suddenly. She stood in front of everyone, a mic in her head.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
“I know everyone would be shocked that I can talk” She let out and the hall broke into murmurs of shock and surprise even Mario and Roberto were completely stunned.
“The news about my kids and their father is what I wanna address, I’ve never been in a relationship with the president and I never would be in one”
“Ivhave pictures of my wedding ceremony with my husband, I’m a happily married mother of two kids” She paused, looking at everyone’s fluttered faces.
“I was never the type who loved putting my life on social media just to gain relevance, I loved my family being low key and not running away from public places. I present to you my husband Marcus and my kids” She pointed at the door and Roberto almost passed out with shock, the kids resembled him greatly and it would cause more problems if they were to appear.
A man and two kids walked inside, they were casually dressed and Roberto’s eyes widened, damn! She must have planned all this, he thought with relief.
“I have pictures of my wedding and also of the kids when they were growing up” Marcus brought out several pictures and passed it round the silent crowd.
SMario was boiling at where he stood and Ann smiled, she loved the reaction she was getting.
“About the gunshot, I know who my enemy is and I want to use this medium to pass a message, I’ll never back down and I would give you another chance to change but if you insist on playing dirty then get ready to roll in the mud”
“I know how to play my cards and with just a card, all the things you’ve worked for would be taken away” Ann threatened, staring at Mario who was feeling uncomfortable.
“I would want the media to stop spreading fake news about the president, he’s a great man and I get infuriated when I see an asshole trying to tarnish his reputation”
“This is an election period, our rivals are playing dirty to get what they want but we would forever be honest and straightforward, thank you all for this great opportunity”
“I’d like to give a special shout out to the president, he’s always been by my side through thick and thin”
“He gives me time off for my family vacations, he never complains that I spend too much time with my family or I get distracted, thank you so much sir, you’re the best” Ann concluded and was greeted with a standing ovation, Roberto smiled at her with pride while Mario fumed inside.